College Football: Thanksgiving Week

This is easily one of my favorite times of the year, Thanksgiving!  My family always goes to the beautiful Hill Country of Texas and spends a few days with close friends and about 70 family members.  We eat, we play, we shop, we eat, we have fun and we watch football.  The room is usually divided into Burnt Orange and maroon during one of the games, bet you can guess which one.  Always a fun week, here are my picks for one of the best weekends of the year.

Texas @ Texas A&M:  The Lone Star Showdown could be shut down for awhile, which would be a shame.  This is easily one of the top rivalries in the land, and has been played 117 times with Texas leading the all time series 75-37-5.  This year, the game is a toss up with both teams struggling in different phases of the game.  Texas is having trouble scoring while the Aggies are having trouble stopping others from scoring.  While I think this one will be close, I think the Aggies have an advantage being at home…unfortunately.
My Pick:  Texas A&M 23  Texas 15

Arkansas @ LSU:  The big one of the weekend.  It’s another SEC showdown that features two of the top teams in the nation.  I didn’t think LSU would go undefeated this season, so I am surprised they are STILL without a loss.  This could be the week, which would throw a HUGE wrench into the BCS picture.
My Pick:  LSU 20  Arkansas 16

Ohio State @ Michigan:  This game is a classic rivalry, but this years version has as much excitement as a Thanksgiving Day dog show on NBC.  (I don’t know, just saw a commercial).  The main question in this one is if Urban Meyer will announce that he is the new coach of the Buckeyes during halftime or not.
My Pick:  Michigan 30  Ohio State 20

Alabama @ Auburn:  This game last year was a classic and is always one of the best rivalry games in the nation, if not THE best.  Alabama is still very much in the BCS championship picture, but needs to win at Auburn in order to keep those dreams alive.  Auburn would like nothing more than to ruin the Crimson Tide’s plans and send them home with crushed dreams.
My Pick:  Alabama 23  Auburn 10

Clemson @ South Carolina:  For some reason, I always picture a huge fight happening during this game.  Didn’t that happen just a few years ago?  Clemson is trying to finish up this season like they started it, by winning games.  South Carolina has been a little bit of a disappointment this season, and will try and get one more marquee win.  Should be a good one.
My Pick:  South Carolina 33  Clemson 27

Upset Pick of the Week:  Tulsa 38  Houston 35- This could be the week Houston FINALLY loses.

Game Nobody Cares About:  Albany 42  Stony Brook 20- Are you kidding me?  This is NCAA playoff football, EVERYONE CARES.